Dishonest Buyer requesting refund
Summary: libris451 shares a frustrating experience with a buyer on eBay who falsely claimed a pair of sunglasses were fake to initiate a return. Despite significant evidence proving the authenticity, eBay sided with the buyer, requiring libris451 to offer a refund. papso22 suggests that offering a 'change of mind' return policy may have helped, while sml192 queries the case process against the buyer. Eventually, the buyer withdrew the refund request, though they were unpleasant about it.
I am so, so frustrated! I bought a pair of Oliver Goldsmith sunglasses on Ebay a few weeks back, but they really didn't suit me. The seller didn't accept returns, so - well that's how it goes, so I relisted them. They sold pretty quickly, but the buyer - clearly regretting making such a fast purchase logged a return request, claiming that the sunglasses are fake. They are not fake and I have a significant amount of evidence to demonstrate this. However, Ebay, who say they don't take sides, are very much taking the buyer's side and I am being forced to send a returns label and refund the buyer. I have opened a case, against the buyer but in the meantime still have to refund the buyer. So what's the point in that? They'll get a smack on the wrist for being a naughty buyer. They might even be suspended, but I am still losing out. I have been trading on Ebay for 23 years, but this clearly counts for sod all. Is there ANYTHING I can do?
sml192
·1 month agoWhat case have you opened against the buyer? The only time a seller can open a case against a buyer is once the item has actually been returned by using the 'Report a problem' option and whether you would need to refund would then depend on the outcome of that.
libris451
OP1 month agoThanks for responding. Yes, I was only able to open the case after I had accepted the return and refunded. I spoke with EBay, who told me ‘they don’t take sides’, but they clearly do take the side of the buyer. Anyway, in the end, the buyer withdrew their refund request but was pretty unpleasant about it!
papso22
·1 month agoReporting the buyer for misuse of the money back guarantee is all you can. I suspect if you offered change of mind returns you would not have lost out as the buyer would have paid the return postage.
maujohwai
·1 month agoIf the buyer is dishonest enough to falsely claim the glasses are fake, they might still do so, just to avoid the return postage.
papso22
·1 month agoThey may, but you will never know. They may just be remorseful and want their money back.
libris451
OP1 month agoI think it was just remorse. Had they asked me before they bought if they weren’t absolutely certain about them, would I consider a refund, I would probably have said yes!
suelel1968
·1 month agoHi @libris451 it is completely the other way around on the other major resale site beggining with V but it is just as frustrating from the buyers perspective. Just add your loss to the price when you list them again.